Lalley: City's great family bike ride back for another year

Riding a tandem bicycle comes with no small amount of risk.

Primarily, there’s always that chance that you’ll tip the thing over. A crash on any bike is potentially bruising. The prospect of going down on tandem, however, conjures up all sorts of visions of handlebars intertwined with limbs.

The real risk though, isn’t physical. It’s the fact that you have to find somebody to ride the tandem with you. In most cases, that’s a significant other.

In my case, it’s Ms. Hyphenation.

Which brings us to Tour Sioux Falls. On Saturday, June 25, Argus Leader Media will host our annual one-day celebration of bike riding and good living. We are joined again by our partners at Sanford Health, Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department and the Falls Area Bicyclists club. Registration is open now.

Our tandem adventures began several years ago with vacation rental bikes. Often not the most efficient or comfortable machines you’ve ever thrown a leg over. But that led to the purchase of a used Burly we used to cruise the streets and trails around the neighborhood.

FACEBOOK:Learn more about Tour Sioux Falls on our Facebook page

The old Burly, while functional, also didn’t provide the sort of cycling experience that I was hoping for.

So late last summer, we finally stepped up and purchased a new tandem with real road bike geometry, skinny tires and actual drop-style handlebars.

Which brings us back to the risk.

There’s an old saying about tandems: Whichever way your relationship is going, the bike will probably accelerate it. It’s because you have to pedal in unison and not make any sudden, uncommunicated moves.

For a long-married couple such as Ms. Hyphenation and me, the potential for – let’s call it friction – is pretty high.

So far, so good.

In fact, it’s been a blast. The upside is that we’ve developed a whole new appreciation for the Sioux Falls bike trail system. It’s not that I haven’t used the trail often over the years, for bike commuting and running. What the tandem has brought is a whole new appreciation for the 20-mile loop and assorted spurs.

It’s still exercise to be sure.

But it’s also great recreation.

And, dare I say this as a recovering triathlete and cyclist, the tandem is actually relaxing and fun.

It’s not that road riding or racing isn’t a good time. But it’s different.

Out on the trail system, we have to dodge the dog walkers and trike riders just like normal. But it doesn’t seem as daunting. We can cruise along at a modest pace, take in a nice day and nod to the folks who seem to appreciate the demonstration of fellowship.

So we’re looking forward to a fourth year of Tour Sioux Falls perhaps more than in past years.

In addition to the tandem, there are a few other changes for 2016.

• HEADQUARTERS: We are moving the base of operations from Falls Park to Cherry Rock Park, near the corner of 18th Street and Southeastern Avenue. This will give us a little more room to spread out and some additional parking on location and adjacent parks such as Riverdale and Pasley. It should be noted however, that you don’t need to drive. It’s a bike festival after all.
• REST STOPS: We’ve brought back the refreshment and assistance stations at various points on the trail. Our local bike shops – Spoke-n-Sport, Two Wheeler Dealer and Harlan’s Bike and Tour – will be staffing a few of the stations. Our friends at Hy-Vee are supplying some food and drinks.
• PEACHES: The annual Peach Festival is also happening that, day so there’s built-in goodies at Yankton Trail Park.

Other popular Tour Sioux Falls features will be the same as past years.

At Cherry Rock, we’ll have food trucks, inflatable play areas, games, a bike rodeo to teach basic skills, a Strider obstacle course for the little kids and a variety of other family-friendly activities.

Last year we also included FABRAD, which is Club FAB’s annual road ride, for folks who want to put in some miles. The ride will again be supported by FAB and the Center for Hope’s bike ministry.

Tour Sioux Falls has grown each year since we started back in 2013, raising thousands of dollars for charitable causes such as Lend-A-Hand and the Center for Hope. The charm of the event is that you can ride as little or as much as you like. It’s intended to get people out on their bikes enjoying the outdoors and the amazing park system that we’ve built along the Big Sioux River.

For just $10, each rider gets a drawstring backpack, a T-shirt and other bike-related goodies.

It’s a good deal.

It’s a good time.

And it’s good for you.

Even if you’re on a tandem.

Patrick Lalley is news director for Argus Leader Media. Reach him at plalley@argusleader.com or 605-331-2291. You can also follow him on Twitter @Bald_n_Surly, on Facebook at Patrick Lalley or Instagram at Plalley.

The Tour Sioux Falls details

What: Tour Sioux Falls is the annual one-day bike festival. Ride the trail in any direction you want. Many people believe that if the wind is generally out of the south, then ride the loop clockwise. If it’s generally out of the north, then counter clockwise is better. But you don’t have to ride the loop. Just ride however long you want and stop by Cherry Park if you can. Or if you like road riding, Club FAB’s annual FABRAD leaves from Cherry Rock. Riders are back in time to enjoy lunch in the park.

Purpose: In addition to having fun outside, proceeds from Tour Sioux Falls go to the charitable efforts of the Argus Leader Media Foundation and the Falls Area Bicyclists. 

When: Saturday, June 25

Where: The Sioux Falls bike trail system with headquarters at Cherry Rock Park, 18th Street and Southeastern Avenue

Cost: $10 per rider or $15 on day of the event for the ride. Food trucks are additional.

Registration: Pre-register online here. Must be preregistered by Monday, June 13, to guarantee a T-shirt. You can also find us on our Facebook page 'Tour Sioux Falls' for more information.

Packet pick-up: Parks and Recreation offices at 6th Street and Phillips Avenue. Thursday, June 23, and Friday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Social Media: Like the Tour Sioux Falls page on Facebook for updates

Schedule:

8:30 a.m. – Registration and packet pick-up begins at Cherry Rock picnic shelter

9 a.m. --FABRAD leaves Cherry Rock Park on 30 or 40 mile option

10 a.m.  – Tour Sioux Falls trail ride begins.

11 a.m – Festival grounds open at Cherry Rock with food trucks and activities

Noon – Bike rodeo begins with safety checks and helmet giveaway

2 p.m. – Tour Sioux Falls ends